PSY 7710: Ethics for Behavior Analysts Controversial Behavior Analytic Procedures-
Elimination Diet
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Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Capella University
PSY 7710: Ethics for Behavior Analysts
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Controversial Behavior Analytic Procedures
Elimination Diet
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder, with children
exhibiting a multifaceted set of impairments. Although different cases of the condition display
different combinations of difficulties, characterized by language and speech problems,
difficulties with forging social interactions, repetitive and restrictive behaviors and interests
(Cooper, Heron & Heward, 2007). Due to their complex problems, these children present needs
elusive to the parent and family, who oftentimes experience challenges to meet. While there are
many evidence-based interventions that devote to promoting the growth and development of
these children, it’ s without doubts that a majority of these interventions are difficult to follow-
through, especially for families in the lower social cadres. In some cases, the costs of healthcare
for autistic children is significantly higher compared to that of neurotypical counterparts (Liao &
Li, 2020). This has necessitated the crop and of alternative methods which families have
embraced and explored to help their course. One of these methods is the elimination diet (ED)
method.
The concept of elimination diets was first coined by Dr. Albert Rowe in his book,
Elimination of Diets and Patient Allergies, published in 1941. In his theory, Dr. Rowe
considered food as contributive of chemicals contributed through additives and those naturally
acquired. The concept of ‘exclusion diet’, therefore entailed exclusion of specific foods know to
source the supply of specific chemicals to alter the pathogenesis of conditions. Although
originally intentioned to tackle allergies, the concept later expanded to other arenas, whereby it
has found utility in ASD. For instance, the gluten-free casein-free diets (GFCF) adopted in the
autism space. The idea entails the extraction of foods rich in gluten and casein identified as